"Open Just Enough" - Alan Doyle, In His Own Words: New Journal Entry About Filming Robin Hood and Video CBC-TV Comments About Newfoundland

It is always an excellent day when I have to decide which Wonderful Alan Moment I should begin with. Since I still can't quite decide, how about starting with my own favourite photo from the tour-ending Ottawa show this past March:

This pretty much sums it up for me; what follows after could be seen as delightful and illuminating explication thereof. I think I will savour the rest of Alan's journal entry just a bit longer and move to the other Wonderful Alan Moment.

CBC-TV (the local Newfoundland CBC channel) ran a fascinating show the other night called In For A Penny: 60 Years Of Confederation; the show featured a group of prominent Newfoundlanders (and Labradorians) - among them Mary Walsh, Andy Jones, Christopher Pratt, Harry Steele, Bernice Morgan, Bob Joy, Ed Roberts, James Igloliorte, and, of course, Alan Doyle - speaking their minds about Confederation and its lasting repercussions. It's an utter shame the show wasn't broadcast nationwide so more could see it, but thanks to Christina, who went out and bought a DVR for the express purpose of recording this show, the entire show will be up for sharing just as soon as we figure out how the hell to get it uploaded.

And though being able to see and hear all the comments in context will be the ideal way of enjoying and appreciating it, I've never thought much of needless waiting, so here are Alan's own compellingly articulate and admirably honest comments from that show - again thanks to Christina, who videoed them from the recorded broadcast because she was sure that I would not want to have to wait to hear what Alan had to say. She knows me quite well.

Alan's comments - which express a too-seldom-heard perspective - about the impact of Confederation, in particular upon rural Newfoundlanders living in isolated outports:

On the topic of how Newfoundlanders are at times treated by non-Newfoundanders, specifically the use of the word "Newfie":

The importance of the Newfoundland Cultural Renaissance of the 1970s (especially the accomplishments of The Wonderful Grand Band) to Great Big Sea:

No tolerance for "Newfie gags":

How Alan really feels about living in Canada:

And about Newfoundland Nationalism:

Finally, a closing comment from a man who has been most everywhere, a man who knows where he belongs:

As I said before, I'll put up the full program as soon as we get the technical stuff figured out. But I didn't want to wait that long to share this any more than I wanted to wait to hear for myself what Alan had to say; some things are just too good for waiting. What I love the most about his comments on this show is that this is Alan as I first saw him and as I first heard him in his songs, Alan as I have always seen and heard and will always see and hear him: Intelligent, articulate, opinionated, thoughtful...Alan challenging and Alan rewarding. It is not the sum total of a complex man, to be sure, but it is a fundamental part of what lies at the core of his complexity.

There are times when I can't decide which Alan is the most loveable and dear - the thoughtful and articulate man, the eager and excited boy, the brave and daring adventurer, the shrewd and ruthless negotiator, the sweet and silly goofball, the restless and cocksure rock star, the tentative and tender-hearted romantic, the canny and calculating pragmatist, the incendiary and impassioned perfomer, the wistful and awkward dreamer, the lewd and saucy raunch, the skilled and expressive writer, the stubborn and resolute achiever, the hopeful and vulnerable believer...even the pissy and cranky old fart has his own inimitable (and irresistible) charm. Then I realise that there's no need to choose from among all his possibilities, realise that he is all these things and more - realise that there all these things and more to find loveable and dear.

That was one Wonderful Alan Moment, and now time for the next such. I saved this one for last because I love it even more than his CBC show comments, which is saying a great deal about how glad I was to read Alan's latest journal entry - posted, appropriately in accordance with his own Grand Adventure on the Robin Hood film set, on the 40th anniversary of the very first walk on the moon.

He really made my day with this one:

Tour Diary - July 20, 2009 - Surrey, England (On Set)

Monday, July 20, 2009

Three weeks to go. I have recently learned that principal photography will wrap on Friday, August 7th. All things being well, I’ll be home by Sunday the 9th.

Since my last post the entire production shifted to Wales and we had a blast on the beach I Pembroke shire. As many have documented on the net, we shot some scenes of epic proportion. One day, I rode my horse, Arthur, across the beach amongst a group of nearly 200 other horses and riders. I was part of a fight scene with several hundred soldiers, half dozen boats, and several hundred archers.

Many of us stayed in our trailers on the beach and had a great time ‘roughing it’. We bbq-ed each night and rode our bikes along the beautiful Welsh coastline. There were rumours around that some of us sat around the fire and sang songs till the wee hours, but I cannot confirm or deny these allegations.

I don't think Alan is ever going to forget how he spent the Summer of 2009. Riding his trusty steed into battle scenes, camping out on the beach with his fellow actors, singing (and writing) songs with his friends - all while learning how to do something brand new, while learning new things about himself in the process...I can't think of too many ways in which the 40th Summer Of Alan Doyle could have been any more perfect than this. To be the kind of person who has the courage to say "Yes" to a new challenge, the kind of person who steps boldly through the open door to seize the opportunity that lay waiting on the other side, is to be the kind of person who merits respect, admiration, and pride. And it is so fitting - so right - when that person finds his courage and boldness rewarded with such lastingly memorable good times. I can't think of anyone who deserves each and every one of those sweet moments more than he does.

We’ve since moved back to the greater London area. We filmed on a river at Virginia Water and currently I am sitting under a massive French castle and am watching a few hundred fully costumed medieval archers prepare to attack. I might even join them.

Bob and brother Bern are in town and hope they will come down to check out the whole spectacle today. Had a grand night out with our Bob as he was passing through the UK over the weekend. Had not seen Bob since we were on stage at the Juno’s in March. That is about 17 weeks ago. I have not gone that long without seeing Sean and Bob, since I met them in late 1992. I managed to talk him into staying a couple of extra days so he could come check out the set.

It should not be long now, till the whole team is reunited as this grand detour is winding its way back to the previously planned route. We should be rolling on the 15th or 16th as we head to Cape Cod.

Keep you posted.

Cheers,Alan

There are some who live life hating their Today and longing for what they hope will come Tomorrow, others who dread their Tomorrows and try to cling to Today. To be able to live your life taking keen pleasure in Today, while at the same time looking eagerly ahead to Tomorrow with fierce anticipation...that is something beautiful, a terrible wonderful way to live. A sure and confident stride across the lunar surface. Again, I cannot think of anyone who deserves this nore than he does.

Comments

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I'm glad Alan's grand detour has worked out great for him. He took a chance and he makes it sound like it was sure worth it. And we get to see the movie too. Yay! :) Maybe he liked it so much he'll want to do more acting. I read that Russell Crowe is doing a sequel to Master and Commander soon. Maybe Alan could be in that and go out to sea for real. How cool would that be? He aquitted himself well on the TV show too. I liked the Celine Dion comparison best of all.

I like complicated people. They are like food that's seasoned witb a range of spices so you can't pick out one more than the other, it all blends into a new flavour. Sometimes that food gives you indigestion and sometimes complicated people are a PITA too lol. It's all good in the end though, and worth it.

I agree with Alan about Canada. I think it's the best country in the world too. Not perfect, just best. It's always great to hear from him on TV or his FTR's.

Hey when did GBS add a second Cape show? It's not listed at the Melody Tent. Is it the day before Hyannis and where do I get tickets? Or you didn't mean Cohassett did you cause that's *not* on the Cape!

Hi Stace - no, as far as I know there are no other shows in Cape Cod; the Hyannis show is still the first one on the schedule. I'm sorry if I gave you the wrong impression - even I know that Cohasset's not on the Cape (though I did not know this before the show was scheduled there...I had never heard of Cohasset before that, I must confess). What I said was in reference to what Alan had written in his journal entry, not a comment about some new show having been added. Again, sorry to lead you astray.

Mary, that is a delicious (pun most definitely intended) analogy, though how about going with heartburn as the metaphor instead of indigestion? Caring about complicated people can indeed at times scorch the tender heart, not unlike how even those with the most sophisticated palates find that some spicy, complex foods can at times create their own burning sensations within. And always worth it, so much so...I do agree. Absolutely lovely metaphor - the next time I eat Indian food, it will surely come back to me and put a smile on my face.

I think it is great when a person can genuinely believe that the country of his or her own birth is the best country in the world. It seems like that would be a really cool way to grow up and live.

Yes, I agree again - it is always great to hear from Alan, whatever the medium, though I have always been quite partial to his writing. He did do extremely well on that CBC show, something for him to be very deservedly proud of. I'm sure proud of how well he did. Still working on getting the entire show in share-able format.

Annie, I earnestly hope Alan's Celine Dion comparison hits home right where it needs to be hitting, because it is an excellent one. For all that there might still be some who claim that "Frog" is a harmless little word to use to describe those who are French, it would certainly never be used to describe (or, God forbid, to introduce) her, regardless of any attempts to argue for its fundamental inoffensiveness. Here's hoping a few will see the good sense in Alan's point.

If he winds up having enjoyed it enough to do more of it, I'd love to see Alan act more. I am betting he wound up discovering that he is really good at it, and he knows by now what hard (and at times boring) work it truly can be, so his decision would be a well-informed one.

Whatever makes him happy, wherever, whenever, sure works for me. I believe he can do most anything well that he sets his mind to doing, so who am I to quibble with any of his choices? Well, except for hoping that he keeps writing. He is so damn good at that, quibbling really should be allowed, if need be. Sky's the limit for whatever else, though, the moon and the stars as well.

He has the hair for M&C, that is for sure. I'm glad so many people are thrilled about the potential for a sequel to that film, though it is not one of my personal favourites of Russell's films. If Russell does wind up doing a sequel, I would love to see where the surviving LA Confidential characters wound up - it seems like there could be a fascinating story there. That would get me really excited. Other than that, I think I'll keep right on hoping Dirt Music comes next. Which reminds me, I still need to finish that book.

I'll try my best to respond to the comments on the previous post later tonight or tomorrow. I'm running late right now but should have more time after I go do what I am already late for.

Good show posting the CBC segments. I wish they'd bother to show stuff like this on the national feed. Alan did good. It's good to see him stand up and speak out like this instead of staying quiet. I'll watch the whole show when you get it up somewhere, looking forward to it.